A research group at Rice University (Houston; www.rice.edu) has developed a method for vaporizing water into steam using sunlight-illuminated nanoparticles, with only a small fraction of the energy heating the fluid. Sub-wavelength metal or carbon particles are intense absorbers of…
Under an ARPA contract Gas Technology Institute (GTI, Des Plaines, Ill.; www.gastechnology.org) is developing a process to convert natural gas directly into methanol and hydrogen. The process is much simpler and more efficient than the conventional high-temperature and capital-intensive steam-reforming…
An Indian team from the Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology (www.immt.res.in), and Utkal University (both Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India; www.utkal-university.org) has achieved significant improvement in the recovery of nickel from lateritic ore by using oxalic acid produced by the fungus…
The new Metso Pulp Analyzer provides the first online measurement of micro-scale details of fiber properties, thereby giving pulp and papermakers a tool to help predict how fiber properties will affect final sheet-strength properties. The pulp analyzer features a new…
Waste heat recovery (WHR) is essential for increasing energy efficiency in the chemical process industries (CPI). Presently, there are many WHR methods and technologies at various stages of implementation in petroleum refineries, petrochemical, chemical and other industry sectors. Increasing energy…
An industrial compressed-air system is expected to supply air of defined quality, required pressure and desired quantity to all the plant air and instrument air consumers. With air being one of the most critical utilities of a chemical plant, a…
The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (ASME BPVC), which is administered by ASME (New York, N.Y.; www.asme.org; founded as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers), is a well-established standard for the design and fabrication of boilers and pressure vessels.…
Virtually every process-plant manager pursues the commendable goals of safely extending equipment life and maximizing both the availability and reliability of plant assets. Achieving these objectives usually requires upfront effort and money — both of which can be scarce resources.…
Plant Watch Stamicarbon wins contract for urea plant in China December 6, 2012 — Stamicarbon B.V. (Sittard, the Netherlands; www.stamicarbon.com), the Licensing and IP Center of Maire Tecnimont S.p.A. (Milan, Italy; www.mairetecnimont.it), has been awarded a contract for a new…
Philippault Weser McCarthy Raty Azibert Peter Bigelow joins the board at engineering firm Integrated Project Services (Lafayette Hill, Pa.). Ton Büchner returns to AkzoNobel (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) as CEO, after a medical-related absence. Matthieu Philippault joins the international sales team…